ELITE NEWS BULLETIN               1-14-08

CHRIS DOES IT!!!

            Dreams can come true.

            On Saturday night, in front of family, friends and a welcoming hometown crowd, Chris Dart qualified for the United States Olympic Trials!!!! Swimming his signature event, the100 meter backstroke, Chris touched the wall in an incredible 57.97 time, just .02 seconds under the Trials qualifying time!

            As only swim fans can appreciate, at the finish the crowd collectively searched the Colorado for the time and saw all the numbers roll to :58 (qualifying time is 57.99). For longest instant ever recorded in mankind’s history, it appeared Chris had just fallen short; then magically the Colorado rolled back to 57.97 in lane 5!!!

Too tired to muster much of a reaction; Chris simply looked up into the stands and smiled at his parents. His coaches, his family and his friends, however, went nuts as they jumped, screamed, cried and hugged one another to celebrate Chris’s amazing accomplishment.

To make this time, Chris dropped 1.11 seconds from his previous best, performed last year at the same meet: the Burgdorff Invitational hosted by Berkeley Aquatics Club at Rutgers University. Burgdorff is the only long course meter (50 meters) NJ Swim meet held during short course season. Swimmers can only qualify for US Olympic Trials in “lcm” times-thus, the Burgdorff meet has a truly significant role during each Olympic year.

Chris’s party actually started on Friday night, as he dropped 3.5 seconds (as performed rested last summer at Junior Nationals in Indianapolis) in the 200 IM (2.08.38) and a whopping 4.5 seconds from his prelim swim earlier that morning.  Having trained at an incredible level during the past year (especially in the last 6 weeks) and having this performance under his belt, Chris went into the 100 back extremely confident. In the morning session, he posted a 58.26 time while way out in front of his circle-seeded heat. Chris also posted personal bests in this weekend each of his events: the 100 fly, 100 breast, 50 free, 100 free and 200 back. Incredibly, he posted times in 12 of his 13 swims!

As a result of this performance, two things will change immediately: 1) Chris will now prepare for competition at the world's more intense meet, the US Olympic Trials, to be held during the last week in June in Omaha, Nebraska and 2) living up to his promise with Chris, Bill will shave off his goatee and will do so very publicly tonight at practice at approximately 8:00 pm. All swimmers and parents are welcome to come to witness this performance (and swimmers are welcome to bring their suits as the Seniors & Senior Preps will be playing a water polo game following the short practice and shaving ceremony).

OTHERS WERE ALSO AT THE BURGDORFF PARTY AND PERFORMED SPECTACULARLY TOO; MARTIN QUALIFIES FOR SECTIONALS; LEVIN, KATZ WIN EVENTS; KOLOGY, K. STEARNS QUALIFY FOR SUMMER ZONES:

 Meanwhile back on planet earth, a host of other Elite swimmers also performed magnificently this past weekend:

 Ricky Martin, coming off dual injuries to his wrist and knee, posted his first sectional qualifying time in the 50 meter free: 25.56. Ricky also made finals in the 100 free (56.87).

10 year olds Zackie Katz (who ages up this week) and Aaron Levin both won events. Katz won the 50 fly (34.92) while Levin blitzed the 50 back (39.44). Katz also placed 3rd twice (50 free-31-93 & 50 breast-42.63) and 4th in the 100 free-1.14.26 while Levin placed 2nd in the 100 back-1.26.72, 3rd in the 200 free-2.42.92 and 4th in the 200 IM-3.03.79.  

16 year old Alex Morrison placed 12th in the 100 back (1.04.25), 13th in the 100 fly (1.00.64) and 16th in the 50 free (25.93). Morrison also dropped 7 seconds in his 200 back in winning the bonus consolation swim!

9 year old Kaitlin Stearns continued her amazing season, as she qualified to represent NJ Swimming at Eastern Zones this summer in 5 different events: 1) 200 free-2nd place-2.39.18 2) 100 free-2nd place-1.14.34  3) 50 back-3rd place-39.27  4) 100 back-3rd place-1.25.64 and 5) 50 free-3rd place-33.66.

15 year old Michael Strand continued his impressive season by placing 6th in the 100 back (in the same race as the Dart thing) with a notable 1.02.05 swim. Strand also placed 10 in the 200 back in dropping almost 4 seconds-2.15.50.

11 year old Regan Kology continued her beautiful swimming, placing 6th in the 400 free (5.00.61-a 16 second drop) and 11th in the 50 free-30.44. Both swims qualified her to represent NJ Swimming at Eastern Zones this summer in Virginia.

The Pick twins also continued to swim well. Michelle came in 4th in the 50 back-40.40 and 5th in the 100 fly-1.28.86 (10 second drop) while Gabrielle placed 7th in the 50 free-36.13.

10 year old Andre Guacelli, who also ages up shortly, placed 6th in the 50 breast-45.18.

Meet results are posted on the team website.

Swimmers who participated in the meet (# in parathesis is # of best lcm times): Matt Ahlmeyer (4), Chris Dart (12), Alli Dorneo (1), Katie Gorman (3), Andre Guacelli (1), Zackie Katz (6), Regan Kology (4), Aaron Levin (6), Michael Li (2), Ricky Martin (5), Ali Morreale, Alex Morrison (10), Christina Pick (2), Gabrielle Pick (3), Michelle Pick (4), Kaitlin Stearns (6), Lindsay Stearns (2) & Michael Strand (5).

CALDWELL DUAL MEET RESULTS NOT YET RECEIVED:

         As of press time, Elite has not received results from the Saturday Caldwell dual meet. Information regarding this meet will be forwarded as soon as they are received.

2ND ANNUAL FLOAT NIGHT PLANNED:

 

From ESCPO -

 

Thanks to all who came to ESCPO's open board meeting last Wednesday – we had a wonderful turnout!

 

FLOAT NIGHT - No Laps Allowed!!  Dust off your floats and come join your teammates to have some fun in the pool!  Mark your calendars for Friday Feb 1 at Morristown Beard -  6:45 pm pizza, pool from 7 - 9 pm.  Please RSVP by Tuesday, Jan 29 to ESCPO@aol.com.  This event was a huge success last year, parent volunteers are needed and welcome to help inflat floats, serve food and chaperone - email ESCPO@aol.com if you are available to help.

 

TRAINING SEASON EXPLAINATION:

 

            A number of parents have asked questions regarding our training system. Below is the reader’s digest explanation of what is occurring, and when, at your child’s practice:

 

            Elite runs a version of the Doc Counsilman Energy System Conditioning System. Doc Counsilman was perhaps the most successful coach of all time, in a career that last over 50 years at the University of Indiana (Mark Spitz was on of his swimmers). Since there are 3 types of energy systems within the human body (aerobic, anaerobic and explosive), they each need to be trained. Counsilman believed they each needed to be trained each day, but that the percentages of training each system need to be changed thru the training cycle. To Counseilman, the proportions are critical (having all the ingredients and a stove does not guarantee a great looking and tasting cake, the proportions of the ingredients are critical in baking too!).

 

In this Conditioning System, there are 6 phases. These 6 phases (and in the order of implementation) are:

 

1)      Build-up. First 2-3 weeks of every training season is spent building up to the conditioning level a coach desires for the athlete. Start easy and gradually increase the workload. During this time, a great deal of time is spent teaching the swimmers stroke technique, drills, swimming details, etc.

2)      Distance: this phase works the aerobic system. Emphasize is placed on long swims (each longer than 5 minutes) to build endurance.

3)      Interval: this phase also works the aerobic system. Emphasze shifts to shorter swims but with very limited amount of rest (:5 to :15 seconds) between each swim. Again, this phase is building endurance.

4)      Repetition: This phase works the explosive system. Workouts change radically from aerobic or long swims to short, all out swims (racing, racing, racing) with lots of rest in between each swim in order for the athlete to improve their quality of swim. Since there is more rest, the coaches have more time to instruct the swimmers and the swimmers are constantly reminded to do their details right during racing in practice, so the details are there in the meet race

5)      Sprint: This phase works the anaerobic system. Sprinting and racing are still the focus but the amount of rest is reduced.

6)      Taper: 2-3 weeks of gradual decrease of workload so that the swimmer is left strong, yet rested.

 

Remember that Elite practices touches on each of these phases during each practice (just the percentages change during the season). In addition, this system can work for sprinters and distance swimmers simultaneously. The coaches just need to decide when to change over to the next phase. This specialization is done at the Senior and Senior Prep level, based upon a number of factors. Thus, swimmers in the Senior/Senior Prep training groups can be in different phases on the same day (currently happening right now). This flexibility allows us to train different swimmers differently.

 

All the Wavebuster Training Groups plus the Senior Program run this system. The Marlins do not, but the Marlin Blacks are gradually taught those things needed to do so they are ready to run with this system at the Wavebuster Teal level.

 

Since the implementation of this system in Sept, 2007, Elite swimmers have been tearing it up. Coincidence? Not likely.

 

Thanks, Doc.

 

WHEN DUTY CALLS, ELITE PEOPLE STEP UP:

ELITE, ALONG WITH MORRIS COUNTY SWIM CLUB, WILL RUN 13 & OLDER SILVER/BRONZE CHAMPS AT RUTGERS IN MARCH:

 

            No one else would run it. Since the meet potentially affects 63 of our swimmers, we will do it.

 

            For 9 months, no other team(s) bid on the 13 & Older Silver/Bronze Championships to be held in March at Rutgers. Last year this meet attracted 50 teams and there were over 7500 entries. With the prospect of no championship meet to be held this year, Elite, along with Morris County Swim Club, will jointly host the 2008 13 & Older Silver/Bronze Championships.

 

            While a huge undertaking, the co-hosting allows for a pool of approximately 120 family volunteers whom are directly affected. Since the Rutgers facility runs a lot of the ancillary jobs in running a meet (concessions, security, parking), the undertaking is really reduced to timing, coaches hospitality and admissions.

 

            As ESC & MCSC get organized in the coming weeks, please expect to be contacted to volunteer if you have a swimmer who would be participating in the meet.      

 

 

PROMOTION REQUIREMENTS:

ATTENDENCE, LEVEL OF TRAINING AND STROKE TECHNIQUE:

 

            As we hit the mid-point of our training season, swimmers and parents are reminded that swimmers EARN their promotions by accomplishing 3 criteria thru the season. Coaches will make their recommendations for promotions starting in mid January and the promotion letters will be mailed in early February. No swimmer will be considered for promotion unless they comply with the following 3 criteria (and swimmers are reminded that they control this process, not the coaches);

 

1)      great attendance as defined as follows:

a.       over 70% for Marlin Teals, Marlin Blacks, Wave Teals & Wave Blacks.

b.      over 85% for Wave Golds and Senior Preps

     There will be no exceptions.

 

2)      Training within the top lanes in one’s training group. Each training group has 2 to 6 different levels of training within the training group. A swimmer must be training within the top 2 training levels to be considered.

 

3)  Great stroke technique. While swimmers are training in the top level of their training group, they need to hold their stroke technique. Each swimmer

                   is aware of those things they need to work on.

 

            Each swimmer is encouraged to talk to their coach regarding their current status and things they need to do during the 2nd half of the season to earn a promotion.

 

SWIM MEET “LOST & FOUND” BROUGHT BACK TO NA; PLEASE CHECK YOUR ITEMS AT HOME:

 

            As anyone at Princeton this weekend knows, the crowded situation at meets creates a ripe situation where items are going to be left, lost or accidentally picked up by other swimmers. Swimmers and parents should know the following:

 

1)      Items easily identified as Elite’s that are left at the meet are brought back to Newark Academy and placed in the lost & found.

 

2)      Items with names on them are much more easily identifiable. If not already done so, write your name on all swim gear and team uniform items so they can get back to you.

 

3)      As a courtesy to your fellow swimmers, please check the items you bring home to confirm they are actually yours. You may have accidentally picked up someone else’s uniform, suit or goggles. 

 

WHEN IN DOUBT, CHECK THE WEBSITE:

 

            If you have questions about Elite, your first source of information is Elite’s website located at eliteswimclub.org.  When in doubt, first check the website!!! If you do not see what you need, email Bill at eliteswimclubnj@comcast.net